Internet Aust Adds Weight To Protests On Telco Security Bill

It has been hotly opposed by groups including the Communications Alliance, the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association and the Australian Information Industry Association.

Internet Australia chief executive Laurie Patton, pictured, is the latest to weigh in against the legislation, which he said is likely to hamper innovation in the network space.

Patton warned that the legislation could hinder innovation by forcing telcos to use a limited range of proprietary products, rather than allowing them to choose the best available solution to keep their networks and customers safe.

“This is another example of the trend towards ad hoc legislation being brought in to solve a specific problem without proper consideration of the potential unintended consequences that could adversely affect how our digitally enabled economy grows,” he said yesterday.

“We’ve had the Data Retention Act, the unproven site-blocking legislation – and now a plan to tell the industry what equipment it can and cannot buy.”

Patton was also critical of the proposed bill for placing too much arbitrary power in the hands of the Attorney General’s Department, which he says lacks the required technical knowledge on telecoms systems and equipment.

The Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2015, promoted by Attorney-General George Brandis, is aimed at increasing security of Australian networks.

Among other things it proposes that carriers must get a bureaucrat to rubber-stamp changes to its network, and would compel them to hand over any documentation the department secretary might ask for.